Forty-Five

Hair Cuts

      I looked around the small room, noticing the bar, then realizing how bright it was.
      “Big windows...” Sam muttered.
      I nodded as Heero stepped behind me, looking over the four large frosted windows.
      The room looked washed, as if the lights had bleached it, the floors were wood or pergo.
      My eyes landed on the bar again. It was on a raised part of the room, about a half foot from the floor. The counter was about upper stomach height on Sam and I, but closer to Heero’s lower abdomen. Near the wall, on my right was an entry, a step leading to it. The counter extended over it, the hinges hidden.
      Curiously, Sam walked around and stood, looking over the shelves. Heero and I came and leaned over the bar.
      “So what exactly happened, Omaesan, with you and Relena?” he asked me as I took stalk of Quatre’s stash. Somehow he had been informed that something had happened between us, but hadn’t heard the exact story...
      “Nothing.” I replied, ignoring Sam’s grin.
      “Nothing?” his tone indicated he didn’t believe me.
      “We exchanged words...” I explained.
      “When, where, and how hard...” Sam muttered.
      “Shut-up!” I told her, annoyed.
      She grinned leaning forward.
      “Nikki,” Heero was looking back and forth between us, “Something obviously happened...”
      I turned to him, “We...” I exaggerated a bit, “exchanged words. That’s all.”
      He waited patiently.
      I sighed, giving up, “She came in, intent on...God knows what...and accused me of sleeping with Wufei.”
      He looked surprised, “Where’d she get that idea?”
      “I don’t know...couldn’t be our staged fight now, could it?” That last was a bit bitchier than I intended.
      “Hmm...” he thought a moment, not noticing the snap in my tone, then focused on Sam.
      Sam nodded and I noticed she’d remembered the scissors. Our conversation, then, needed to end with Wufei.
      I smiled, “I still need to cut his hair...”
      “What?” Sam asked, even though she knew.
      “Before I started playing, I realized how long his hair was and told him I’d cut it if he wanted me to. He said no, and I decided it would be done. So I need to cut his hair.”
      “Oh.” she hid her grin remarkably well.
      “Back to Relena. You didn’t hurt her did you?” He didn’t care about our conversation.
      I blinked, “No. I said some things she probably didn’t like, but...”
      “Like what?” he turned to face me.
      “She implied that you two slept together.” Sam replied.
      “What did she say?”
      Sam shrugged a bit, “Nothing. She was smart enough to leave.”
      Heero turned to me with a level look.
      I shrugged, “She was pissing me off.”
      The conversation was drifting, though...We couldn’t have that now.
      I grinned past Heero to Sam, “We should cut his hair. Wufei’s, that is.”
      She grinned in return. Understanding.
      “Wufei doesn’t want his hair cut...” Heero commented.
      I winked, “I know, Baby, but he won’t fight it.”
      He rose an eyebrow questioningly, “Baby?”
      I grinned and kissed him, leaning my full weight onto him. “Call him in here, please?” I asked, innocently toying with the buttons at the top of his shirt, not meeting his eyes. “Please...”
      I could feel him tense a bit. I wondered why he did that.
      He still had some hesitation, though, and I decided. I kissed him as if Sam weren’t behind the bar. “I’ll make it worth it...” I breathed into his ear, meeting Sam’s eyes and trying not to laugh. I kissed him again, working my hand into his jeans.
      He didn’t back away, grinning down at me, “I know what you’re doing, Omaesan...” I stopped his words by massaging him with my hand. His breathing went shallow and he closed his eyes.
      Sam gave me a ‘spare me’ look. I grinned, refocusing on him as she shook her head, rolling her eyes and averting them.
      “Is it working?” I replied running my tongue through his lips, not letting it turn into another kiss...That could be dangerous.
      “Mm-hmm...” he was standing completely still.
      I grinned, removing my hand, “I thought it might...”
      His eyes flew open and he seemed to deflate, “You’re cruel.”
      Sam started laughing.
      “Later...” I replied calmly, ignoring Sam, staying close.
      Heero’s head had tilted in her direction slightly, now he refocused on me, “About how late is later?”
      “A short time after a while.” I grinned.
      “After we cut Wufei’s hair. And in your own room, thank you very much.” Sam added, continuing to smile.
      Heero thought that over, not looking away from me, I closed my eyes, “Fine.”
      I opened them and smiled at him, “Thank you, Baby...” I kissed him again.
      He pulled away, “Hurry.” He turned and disappeared out the door.
      “Nicole Marie!” Sam said, shocked, but not, that I’d done that or maybe that I’d succeeded...
      We both started laughing.
      “Shall I do the honors, or will you?” she asked when we’d calmed down enough to talk again.
      “Which honors? The hair or the...” I stopped as the door opened, turning to see who it was.
      Wufei walked in, shutting the door behind himself, giving us a level look.
      “Wufei...” she greeted him happily, smiling.
      I was also smiling.
      “I don’t know what you two are planning,” he replied, “But don’t. I’m only here because Heero asked me to play guard for the two of you while he takes a shower...”
      I smiled larger, starting for him.
      He avoided me, giving me wide berth as passed, heading for the bar. When he reached it, he leaned against the counter, watching me with a tilted head as I approached.
      I stepped close, following as he shied away slightly.
      “You always said being alone with one of us would be fun...” Sam murmured.
      Hearing this, he closed his eyes, laughing so slightly that is chest barely bounced, “What did I get myself into...”
      I grinned, he had no idea...I leaned against him, kissing him. For a moment he kissed me back, then pulled away, shaking his head, “Last time you started...” he began.
      “Last time?” I replied, my voice very soft, “Last time I was willing...you just had to go take a damned shower...” Slowly I began to undo his pants.
      He shied back again, his hands moving to stop mine before I’d unbuttoned them, “Don’t...” his voice held slight panic.
      I opened my eyes slightly wider, stilling my hands but not moving them, “Don’t?”
      “Nikki, you’re with Heero...” it seemed like a last ditch effort.
      Damn him, his logic, and his loyalty.
      “Don’t worry...”
      “Yeah right...” he snorted, trying to move away.
      I’d successfully pinned him to the bar.
      He tried to stop my hands as I unbuttoned his jeans.
      He didn’t succeed.
      I ran my hand across his lower abdomen like I had to Heero so many times. A practiced gesture that never failed.
      He leaned forward slightly. His breathing changing from heavy to shallow.
      I massaged him as I had Heero, starting a steady rhythm.
      Wufei, of course, had given up.
      He was leaning against the counter, his forehead on my shoulder lightly.
      I quirked my brow to Sam as his eyes closed and he began breathing out his mouth, through his teeth, ‘Now.’ I mouthed, judging him properly distracted.
      I stepped up the rhythm and his entire body reacted.
      Carefully, Sam lifted his ponytail and began running a finger over the short hairs at the nape of his neck.
      He shivered slightly and his eyes fluttered open momentarily but he instantly lost focus, his eyes closing again.
      I stepped my pace up again as she set the blades of the scissors on his hair. She was smiling as she cut it...Only, she didn’t cut it off as we’d planned, she only cut about three inches...
      I gave her a ‘What the hell?’ look and she shrugged.
      Wufei didn’t notice, his breathing changing again, his body returning to freeze.
      Sam messed with the hair she’d chopped as his teeth clenched tighter.
      Normally I’d have stopped. But this wasn’t exactly a normal situation. I didn’t need to make him more pissed then he’d already be.
      For a moment he relaxed completely against me.
      When he straightened, his eyes were confused, he was completely unsure.
      Looking into distant space to the right of me slightly, he re-buttoned his jeans, then leaned back against the counter again.
      “What the fuck...” he reached behind his head, feeling his ponytail.
      How had he noticed the difference?
      “She said your hair would be cut...” Sam muttered, holding his hair out to show him.
      He turned to look at her and I stepped back.
      He turned back to me, glaring. After a second, he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths, “I knew something...” he started and shook his head. For a moment, he looked as if he would spit in my face, but brushed passed me instead, leaving the door open behind himself.
      I exchanged a glance with Sam.
      There was a brief pounding. “They’re done playing now, Heero...” Wufei’s voice carried to us, in an extremely pissed sing-song.
      A door opened and there was a brief silence then another door slammed shut.
      Eyebrows raised, I met Sam’s eyes.
      “What the hell?” I demanded.
      She grinned, “I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was too...cruel...its bad enough I did it at all...” she set his hair on the counter.
      “Oh dear!” I cried, over-dramatically, “The advent of a conscience...”
      “I know...” she replied in the same tone, “Whatever will I do...”
      Heero appeared in the door, watching us expectantly.
      I started laughing, he led me to our room. I was still laughing as Heero shut the door behind himself and turned to me, “What...exactly, did you do?” his hair was wet and he had changed clothes, but he was completely serious...Wufei was his friend, after all...
      Finally controlling my laughter and remembering my promise, I stood. “Nothing, Baby.” I stepped close, wrapping my arms around his neck, running a hand through his hair. It was cold water. I grinned.
      “You’re doing it again...” he noted, speaking of my distracting him.
      “Mm-hmm...Do you really care?” I kissed him.
      “Not really...” he replied, “As long as I hear the story later...”
      “Later.” I agreed, smiling mischievously, “A short time after a while...”
      Our conversation degenerated before it started.
      Heero didn’t seem to mind.


      They had cut my hair. All that...one elaborate game...to cut my hair...
      How could they do that, and laugh? How could they do that at all? Seeing as they both had men...my friends, at that...Heero really needed to straighten his priorities, it was one thing to make Nikki happy, but at the expense of his friends...
      Stupid bitches...
      I paced my room again, at least they’d only cut the end...I’d needed to get rid of the damned split-ends anyway...Sam was probably only doing as Nikki told her...
      I was still pissed.
      Nikki had confused me, at first. When Sam’d began messing with my hair...well, I’d been too distracted to really think about it...but still confused.
      I had never expected Nikki to go that far.
      I continued pacing.
      My hair was finally dry, I noticed.
      After leaving them in Quatre’s bar, I’d stormed down the hall, pounded on Heero’s door as I passed...
      The Asshole had known they were up to something...
      After slamming my door, I’d taken a shower.
      I couldn’t leave my hair like this. Asshole’d make a point of “accidentally” telling the others, directly or indirectly.
      Layered ends wasn’t exactly my look...
      Resigned to my fate, I stalked from the room.
      Quatre’s rooms would no longer have good association.
      I stalled near the door. If Nikki were in there...
      Screw it. Now, I would be ready for the games. Maybe I’d get back into it...she’d said revenge was sweet...and I hadn’t played for a while...it wasn’t as hard as it seemed to win.
      So, she cut my hair, what could I do to her? Certain caresses turned her on...she liked my kissing...Heero could get over it, he had the last time I’d fooled around with... well, fucked...his girl.
      I knocked.
      It seemed an eternity before the door opened.
      Sam blinked, not surprised...
      “Can you fix it?” I asked. I’d intended pissy, but it came out whiny.
      She smiled slightly, and I could see the mirth in her eyes. She ran a hand through my hair experimentally, “Come in.” she patted my cheek condescendingly.
      If I got annoyed now, I’d have to do it myself or go to Sally...neither option sounded too logical. I had no real desire to explain to Sally what’d happened.
      I followed Sam in. “Nikki’s not in here, is she?”
      She snorted. “She’s busy just now.”
      I didn’t say anything to that, not trusting myself to be civil, and not trusting her hair cutting technique if I pissed her off.
      She pointed to the vanity, “Sit there.” she disappeared into her bathroom as I sat down.
      I tried to ignore the scissors.
      Sam returned with two towels.
      “Here, lift your hair.” I did. She set the towel around my neck and I tensed slightly, half expecting her to run a finger across it. She lay the other towel on the floor and lifted the scissors, “Close your eyes.”
      I did as told, sighing heavily, “So, when did Heero become a masochist?”
      “What are you talking about?”
      “Nikki.”
      She cleared her throat, “Who’s the masochist?” she poked me with scissors.
      I clicked my tongue, shifting away, “Stop...I’m not a masochist.”
      She snorted slightly, “Think about it, Wufei. She doesn’t hurt Heero. Now quit wiggling and take it like a man,” her voice changed to sing song, like she was talking to a child, “If you’re good, I’ll give you a lollipop when we’re done...”
      I sighed, not letting myself get annoyed, “Fine...” I hunched into the seat, crossing my arms.
      “Thank you, Wufei!” she said, over enthusiastic, hugging me from where she stood, kissing me on the cheek.
      I tensed again, my experiences with them in the past making me jumpy. She straightened and began to cut my hair again.
      I felt a slight surge of disappointment...then amusement. I’m not a masochist... “I’m glad Heero’s suicidal tendancies’ve changed...”
      “Shut-up and hold still...” She thwacked me with the scissors...
      That was amusing. “No, really, he’s no longer suicidal. Now he’s a sadist...”
      She didn’t want to talk about it, I could tell...but she’d been party with Nikki on so much shit...this little irritation was satisfying.
      She leaned close to my ear and I could feel her soft breath on my neck, “You know what...” she whispered seductively.
      Was she playing games?
      “What?” I replied, making my voice a little deeper, shifting in the seat...if she were going to play then I’d have my fun as well.
      “Less talk...more...”
      “Hey...” Quatre’s voice broke in. Sam looked up to where he stood in the doorway to his room.
      “Hey, Lover. Nice timing, want a haircut?” she held the scissors up.
      He made a non-committal noise. He didn’t really want his hair cut, but if she were serious then he’d give in.
      Thinking about it, Sam pursed her lips, looking to the floor, “Do me a favor, Chickadee...Go get Trowa for me?”
      I cleared my throat, not wanting the others to see me. The whole explaining bit again...
      Sam refocused on my hair as Quatre walked away.
      I could hear Quatre talking to Trowa and Kitty...err...Kat down the hall. It was quiet a while, then there was a tap on the door.
      “It’s open...” she called, beginning to run her hands through my hair, testing the length.
      The door opened to reveal Trowa, followed by Kat.
      Quatre brought up the rear, his Cheshire grin reminding me of one they would give when playing innocent...
      “Beware, Trowa...” I warned.
      Sam hissed at me to be quiet and shoved me out of the chair.
      “You wanted to see me, Sam?” Trowa asked.
      She smiled, “Yes. Come here.”
      He started to her, giving me an odd look, “What happened to your hair?”
      “Nothing.” I replied shortly, moving.
      Duo and Kris appeared in the door, “Nice hair, Wufei...” Duo commented with a grin as Kat and Kris grinned at me. I decided that they realized something of interest had happened, but weren’t sure what.
      “What?” I replied defensively, happy when Sam didn’t laugh, “I needed a trim...”
      Duo shook his head, he knew better than that.
      I heard Nikki’s door open and took a deep breath. ‘Revenge is sweet...’ I remembered her saying, ‘And I always have mine...’
      She didn’t realize that I also enjoyed revenge...among other...things.
      Sam had laid the towel in Trowa’s lap. The chair now facing us. She set the blade of the scissors to his hair.
      “What do you think you’re doing!” Nikki’s voice broke in before Sam could close the scissors.
      “What does it look like?” I returned.
      She focused on me a moment, mirth surfacing in her eyes, then refocused on Trowa. “Why are you letting her do that? Do you really want your hair cut?” she demanded of the unsure pilot.
      Trowa thought about it a moment, “No. Not really...”
      She blinked, looking exasperated, “Then why...”
      Heero was grinning at me.
      I glared in return, if Nikki hadn’t told him...he knew her well and she seemed fond of that method...at least with me...
      “Just let her do it.” Kat broke in to Nikki and Sam’s on going argument. “If he won’t tell her no...”
      “Then he won’t tell you no...” Nikki replied, grinning naughtily.
      Trowa blushed slightly.
      The scissors snipped and a lock of Trowa’s bangs fell to the floor. “Oops...” Sam said, obviously fake.
      I grinned slightly to Heero, Nikki would be pissed.
      Nikki continued her glaring a moment.
      A slight grin lit Sam’s face.
      Heero glanced away from me to the two, a very languid...knowing move.
      Nikki’s eyes opened wide...then she started laughing.
      Heero returned my grin with his own smug look.
      ‘Revenge is sweet...’ I took a breath, ‘Paybacks are a bitch.’

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Kyeian